I had the incredible opportunity to photograph an important piece of Candian History.

Canada Post Corporation is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin with a special collector’s set, including the Stamp, Booklet and Official First Day Cover with custom Cancel.

The main stamp image is a combination of an original, antique vial of insulin and a page from Banting’s handwritten diary, elaborating on how he came up with the idea for extracting insulin in the early hours of a sleepless morning.

Both items are part of the University of Toronto’s Archives and were brought to my studio to be photographed.

Canadian researchers have a long history of making critical advancements in medicine. Before the discovery of insulin, a person with Type 1 diabetes faced a death sentence.

Insulin is considered one of the world’s most important medical discoveries and life-saving treatments and is one of Canada’s greatest contributions to medical research.

Today, millions of people with diabetes continue to be treated with it.

The Official First Day Cover (OFDC) features actual envelopes addressed to Dr. Banting, containing letters of congratulations from peers to gratitude from patients and families touched by this new, life-saving drug. The custom Cancel is an illustration of a Colorimeter; a piece of lab equipment essential to Banting’s work.

Creative Credits

Creative Concept & Implementation: Subplot Design Inc.
Designer: Matthew Clark
Creative Directors: Matthew Clark, Roy White
Photographer: Seth Stevenson
Icons & Cancel: Matthew Clark
Client: Canada Post Corporation
Printer: Lowe Martin